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Staying Safe at Petting Zoos and Fairs

July 2013

From mid-June to Labor Day is fair season in Minnesota! Each year, fairs across the state provide opportunities to eat deep fried delicacies and interact with livestock and poultry. But these interactions aren’t without risk -- animals can carry bugs that can make people sick. The risk can be minimized with careful handwashing and taking a few simple precautions.

Are petting zoos and fairs safe?

Petting zoos and fairs give people of all ages the
exciting opportunity to interact with animals face-to-face.
This allows people to learn more about animals
but it can also put people at risk of becoming ill from
these animals. This fact sheet is meant to help you
understand the risks and then give you ways to
minimize them. We encourage people to interact with
animals while at the same time taking precautions.

What are zoonotic diseases?

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be
transmitted between animals and people.

What are some examples of germs that cause
diarrheal zoonotic diseases?

Campylobacter (bacteria)

Salmonella (bacteria)

E. coli O157:H7 (bacteria)

Yersinia enterocolitica (bacteria)

Cryptosporidium (parasite)

Is it common to find these types of germs at a
petting zoo or fair?

Yes, some germs are naturally in the intestines of
healthy livestock and poultry and are found in the
animals’ feces. Even if an animal appears healthy, it
could still pass these germs to you. However, some
germs, like Cryptosporidium, can also make animals
sick.

How do people get sick from these germs?

People get sick from these germs by swallowing
them. Once the germs are on your hands, you can
accidentally get them in your mouth while eating,
drinking, or during other hand-to-mouth activities such
as smoking or thumb sucking. These germs may end
up on your hands after contact with:

Cattle

Pigs

Sheep

Goats

Ducks

Chickens

Turkeys

Animal environments

Baby animals are especially likely to have these
germs because they haven’t had a chance to become
immune to them.

What are the symptoms in people?

The most common symptoms are diarrhea and
abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include
vomiting, fever, cramps, and bloody diarrhea. People
with mild symptoms usually recover without treatment.
However, these illnesses can lead to hospitalizations
and severe complications also can occur.

How can I reduce my risk of getting sick from
animals at a petting zoo or fair?

Wash your hands with soap and running water
for at least 20 seconds upon exiting animal
areas even if you did not touch an animal.

If no running water and soap is available,
hand sanitizer may be used until you are able
to wash your hands.

Children younger than 5 years old should be
supervised while interacting with the animals
and during hand washing. Young children are
more likely to get sick because they often
touch surfaces contaminated with animal stool
and are more likely to put their hands in their
mouths.

How can I keep from bringing these germs into
my home?

Germs can stay on the clothing and shoes you wear
while interacting with animals and you can spread
these germs to other people who haven’t been at the
petting zoo or fair. After you have visited a petting zoo
or fair, remove your shoes before coming in the main
part of the house and change your clothes once
you’re inside. These steps will help reduce the risk of
illness for you, and your family and friends.

Spotlight

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